Matthew 22:23-33 - The Scriptures Teach The Resurrection
The Sadducees professed themselves to be bound by the Pentateuch, and to have searched in vain for evidences of a life beyond. They were greatly startled, therefore, when our Lord proved human immortality from the book of Exodus. He had never passed through their schools and sat at the feet of their great teachers, but He showed them that "at the Bush" the voice of God attested eternal life.
The great I AM would never have spoken of Himself as the God of the patriarchs, centuries after their earthly career had closed, unless they had been living somewhere still. It was certain that they were all alive; otherwise God would have said, "I was their God." Death is not a chamber, but a passage; not an abiding-place, but a crossing over; not a state, but an act, an experience, a crossing of the bar, a going within the veil. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the myriads who have warred and stormed over the earth, are living as intensely as ever. [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 22
1The parable of the marriage of the king's son 9The vocation of the Gentiles 12The punishment of him who lacked a wedding garment 15Tribute ought to be paid to Caesar 23Jesus confutes the Sadducees for the resurrection; 34answers which is the first and great commandment; 41and puzzles the Pharisees by a question about the Messiah
What do the individual words in Matthew 22:26 mean?